Northwestern University Library's locally developed automated support system, NOTIS, operational since 1970-71, is described in terms of its technical services aspects. Internal applications and relevance to projected national networking developments are considered. (Author)

Discussion of the importance of adhering to standards in the library community focuses on standards related to linking systems, such as bibliographic utilities and circulation systems, and online catalogs. Three areas in particular are highlighted: (1) communications standards; (2) data format standards; and (3) user interface and indexing…